ISLAMABAD: Rural women working in agricultural fields are largest contributors to informal economy in Pakistan, but they are not acknowledged, counted and protected. These women have same rights as working women in cities but in remote areas there is no recognition of their contribution and rights. Kashmala Tariq Ombudsperson for Protection Against Harassment at national launch of study on women agricultural workers rights organised by Awaz-CDS Pakistan said that there is strong need to implement laws already in place for women agricultural workers’ rights as they often earn less than men and are deprived of basic rights and protection. She stressed on need of creating awareness among Women Agricultural Workers through mass media and effective role of local governments in addressing these issues. Study titled ‘Hands That Feed Us: Struggles of Women Agricultural Workers in Pakistan’ was conducted by AwazCDS-Pakistan in collaboration with Forum Asia and Bread for World in aftermath of Covid-19 endemic.

Chief Executive AwazCDS-Pakistan Zia-ur-Rehman highlighted women agricultural workers often earn less than 50 percent of men wages. WAWs traditionally face malnutrition, discrimination, violence, and ill-treatment by their partners, including exploitation and sexual harassment. Most of them are married in early age and forced to work in fields on behalf of in-law families as bonded labourers. Highlighting need to carry out this study, he said, “There are several women empowerment studies but limited research is available on measurement of empowerment in agricultural context. Therefore, it was decided to carry out study to assess, identify and articulate contributing factors associated with socio-economic, legal, gender and political empowerment of Women Agriculture Workers in Sindh and Punjab Provinces”.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 24 2022

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